FEW President Amber Graves said her organization was excited to help plan an event for Crane employees that emphasized the importance of every individual's responsibility to preventing sexual violence.

"I believe it is essential to get this information out to our military and civilian personnel because, unfortunately, sexual assault is a real threat and we need to be educated on the matter," she noted.

Bloomington Middle Way House Crisis Intervention Services Coordinator Evelyn Smith served as the key speaker for the presentation, and explained the importance of focusing on encouraging bystanders to intervene in situations that could lead to sexual violence.

"You see the behaviors that enable sexual assault all the time. You see people encouraging others to drink to excess. You see people who are normalizing the objectification of women. You see people who are modeling to others the idea that sex is a conquest and an achievement," she noted.

Smith also said it is important to teach people about the standards of behavior they should be able to expect in their own relationships.

That advice reinforces the angle from which NSWC Crane Commanding Officer Capt. Jeffrey Elder has always approached the issue of sexual violence.

"I try to focus on the community and behaviors we wish to see and exhibit--treating each other with respect and treating others the way you want to be treated. Really, to get ahead of the problem you need to teach people to be nice to one other," he stated.

NSWC Crane Deputy Equal Employment Opportunity Officer Cynthia Ice-Bones expressed appreciation for the event and noted that sexual violence can affect anyone, in any situation. She said the most important thing for employees to remember is that if they become the victim of a sexual assault they need to speak up and receive the help they need.

"All employees have the right to a safe work environment and if there are concerns about sexual assault, even domestic abuse by a partner or spouse, the employee can bring the matter to their supervisor, the EEO office or base police or medical personnel," she stressed.